Pakistan must take steps to reinforce their commitment to peace: Gen V K Singh

New Delhi, Mar 1: Welcoming the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh on Friday said Pakistan must take many steps to reinforce their commitment to peace.

'Returning Wing Commander Abhinandan is a welcome move, however, it is the first of many steps that Pakistan must take to reinforce their commitment to peace,' said Gen Singh takingto micro-blogging site Twitter. He also said India needs an affirmative & verifiable action by Pakistan against terrorism.

A delegation of Indian Air Force team will on Friday arrive at Wagah border to receive the Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose father too has been a decorated Air Force officer, sources said. Senior Air Force officer Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor told media persons here on Thursday that the release of pilot Wg Cdr Abhinandan is happening "in consonance with Geneva Convention".

Wg Cdr Abhinandan's MiG 21 was shot after he also brought down one Pakistani F-16 fighter on February 27. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament on Thursday that the pilot would be released as a "peace gesture". Wing Commander Abhinandan has brought down a F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force by firing an R-73 air-to-air missile before his jet was hit.

A day after India carried out aerial strike, Pakistan had launched a retaliatory raid trying to target Indian defence facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani attempt was, however, foiled. (UNI)